COPING WITH EPILEPSY IN ZIMBABWE AND THE MIDWEST, USA

In this article, the experiences of persons with epilepsy were explore d in terms of coping with providing a basis of discussion and training to support groups, particularly in Zimbabwe. Coping mechanisms lay st ress upon the individual's control in mastering the disease. It was as sumed that a systematic research effort of intra-cultural and cross-cu ltural sharing of experiences could enhance discussion and training in the support groups. Coping with epilepsy was explored with 37 adults (27 from Zimbabwe and 10 from the Midwest, USA) using open-ended quest ions in a written questionnaire. Questions aimed to elicit general fee lings, experiences and strategies and skills in coping with epilepsy. The questionnaire covered such semantic domains as childhood, educatio n, employment, friendships, relations within the family, and handling of seizures in public places. Coping mechanisms were categorized into two modes, one, adjustment to the disability (palliative), the other a djustment to the environment (problem-solving). In comparing the infor mation between the two groups, some trends can be distinguished which need a larger scale validation. First, palliative skills during childh ood in the Zimbabwean group is indicative for early development of per sonality characteristics and socialization as a result of the illness experiences. A great variety in palliative mechanisms in handling seiz ures indicates better familiarity with seizures in the Midwestern grou p. Similarities between the two groups are found in the friendship dom ain, where palliative coping skills seem to be of no importance, as we ll as in the domain of intimate relations, where a trend in adherence to medication is observed in both groups. Second, many problem-solving skills are developed in both groups but vary in context. In view of p ublic education and training activitis and the ehancement of problem-s olving skills, the domain of education for the Zimbabwean group and th e domains of friendship with the Midwestern group and the family perha ps deserve more attention. Third, coping skills in the Zimbabwean grou p tend to be related to the experience of 'being different', while in the Midwestern group 'not being able to doing things' is a major exper ience. Fourth, in linking coping mechanisms to the cultural environmen t, two major cultural influences in Zimbabwe stand out as being differ ent from the Midwest, the first being the belief in external control a nd cause of mental and physical health, and the second, cultural confl ict.